Bill > HB2845

This bill establishes privacy protections for social media accounts of current and prospective students and employees at higher education institutions in West Virginia. The legislation defines key terms such as "social media account" (a personal online platform for sharing content), "student" (a person enrolled in an educational course), and "institution of higher education" (a public or private postsecondary educational institution). The bill prohibits these institutions from requiring or requesting individuals to disclose social media usernames or passwords, or to add institution employees to their contact lists or modify privacy settings. Institutions are also forbidden from penalizing or discriminating against students or employees who refuse such requests, which means they cannot discharge, discipline, or deny admission or employment based on an individual's refusal to share social media access. The bill explicitly allows institutions to view publicly available online information and does not prevent compliance with existing federal or state laws. The primary purpose is to protect the digital privacy rights of students and employees, ensuring they can maintain personal control over their social media accounts without fear of academic or professional repercussions.